Interleukin-2 receptor expression in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To study interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression in lymphocytic and epithelial cells in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

Minor salivary glands of 29 patients with primary SS, 28 with secondary SS, 19 with autoimmune diseases without SS, and 17 controls were studied using immunohistochemical techniques. Sections were analyzed with 3 different antibodies reacting with CD25 molecule.

RESULTS

The presence of IL-2R (CD25) was observed in minor salivary gland lymphocytic infiltrate in 26 (89.6%) primary SS, 24 (85.7%) secondary SS, and 16 (84%) autoimmune diseases without SS. CD25 antibody was expressed in epithelial cells in 12 (41%) patients with primary SS and 11 (39%) with secondary SS, but was absent in the group of autoimmune diseases without SS and the control group.

CONCLUSION

The lymphocytic infiltrate of minor salivary gland expressed IL-2R in patients with primary SS, secondary SS and autoimmune diseases without SS. IL-2R expression in epithelial cells was only present in patients with primary or secondary SS.